Island prepares for another battering

After Friday’s ferocious storm, it would appear another is on the way.

The Met Office has issued a warning with more flooding and severe gale force winds predicted later today (Monday) with gusts of up to 65 miles per hour.

At its peak, forecasters expect the water level to be around 12 inches lower than it was three days ago.

And it would seem Ramsey and Castletown – which bore the brunt of Friday’s damage – will be the areas worst affected again, especially where sea defences have already been breached.

A high tide just before 3pm this afternoon (Monday), coupled with a significant storm surge, is estimated to cause more flooding around the Island’s harbours, sea fronts and surrounding areas.

The areas outlined as the most vulnerable are in Castletown (including Back Hope Street, Hope Street, Milner Terrace, Springfield Terrace, Brewery Wharf and the Promenade); Ramsey (including Ramsey Quayside, the promenades and Parliament Street); Douglas (including the promenade, Tongue, Leigh Terrace, and parts of North Quay, by the British pub); Laxey Promenade; East Quay and Fenella Beach in Peel, Gansey/Shore Road and Port St Mary (including the back of Lime Street and harbour area).

Although more than 10,000 sandbags were issued across the island on Thursday and Friday morning, significant damage was caused to businesses and homes hit by severe flooding following an unusually high tide.

Met officer Kirsty Pendlebury is warning more problems could be on the way and says the let-up in those areas is not over.

There was a summit yesterday teatime of the police, fire and rescue service, ambulance service, civil defence, coastguards, infrastructure and Water and Sewerage Authority officials.

Ssandbags are still in place at key locations from Friday and a further 1,000 were distributed in Castletown and Ramsey yesterday afternoon for the public in readiness for this afternoon’s high tide.

People in vulnerable coastal areas are being encouraged to take steps to protect their properties and vehicles from potential storm and flood damage.

It’s possible pupils attending Victoria Road primary school in Castletown may be asked to stay in school for a short period beyond the usual finishing time, while the condition of the road outside is assessed.

Contingency measures have again been put in place to deal with the storm surge and the following roads will be closed between 1pm and 6pm.

Douglas Promenade from Broadway to Port Jack

Castletown Promenade, Back Hope Street, Hope Street, Springfield Terrace, Athol Terrace, Milner Terrace. The car parks next to the Old Grammar School will also be closed.

Laxey promenade and Tent Road

Shore Road, Gansey, Ballakeighan Road to Gansey Pottery

Ramsey quayside, Parliament Street, Market Square, Ramsey promenades.

The Causeway at Derbyhaven, from its junction with the Fort Island Road, remains shut until 10am.

For general help and support with flooding problems or storm damage, the number to call is 850000 – that’s the Department of Infrastructure’s Ellerslie Control.

This morning’s Steam Packet sailing to Heysham has been cancelled as has the 2.15pm return.

A decision on tonight’s scheduled sailings will be made by four o’clock this afternoon.